Attention Aliens: You Are Not Alone! (Children’s Books)

Have you ever thought that you might be from another planet? Most people, at some point in their lives, experience moments of feeling “different”, however, there are individuals who have such a unique interpretation of the world that it sets them apart. Imaginative, intelligent children learning to navigate the social galaxies around them – particularly at school – often discover that they feel alien-ated. Not surprisingly, many of those children grow up to become clever writers and illustrators. Being different can be delightful, once you realize that there are others of your species here on Earth. Here are a few books to share with your resident aliens that celebrate other-worldly perspectives:

Binky the Space Cat, by Ashley Spires
Space cadet Binky has noticed striking similarities between insects and aliens. They are definitely one and the same! Binky makes it his mission to build a space ship and save the world from space invaders. But who will protect his humans from the aliens on Earth once Binky blasts off? This charming graphic novel is a treat for adventurers of all ages.

Cosmic, by Frank Cottrell Boyce
The Carnegie Medal winning author of Millions and Framed has written a new story about a twelve-year-old boy who feels stuck between two worlds. Liam looks like an adult, but he still feels like a kid. Puberty is playing tricks on him and he just wants to get away from it all – far away… as in 239,000 miles away on the first civilian flight into space, posing as an adult chaperone for a group of adventurous kids. This poignant, yet hilarious, tale will melt your heart.

Julian Rodriguez: Episode One: Trash Crisis on Earth, by Alexander Stadler
Julian Rodriguez, disguised as an eight-year-old boy, has endured his stay on Earth long enough. He has faced enemies, insults, and even the most powerful villainess of all time – his mother! However, he has reached the limit of his tolerance for living among the mini-brains and is now asking the Mothership for assistance in resolving the trash crisis on Earth. This delightfully funny series will resonate with all those kids who feel that they are stranded on the wrong planet. Julian Rodriguez: Episode Two: Invasion of the Relatives is equally entertaining.

Vacationers from Outer Space, by Edward Valfre
It’s amazing what one will do to survive a family car trip… This clever, imaginative take on the all-American experience uses photographs of ordinary objects to tell the extraordinary tale of a family vacation. In this intergalactic picture book, a coffee cup becomes a window into far-away galaxies and balloons transform into a swarm of deadly space orbs. Apparently, some of us can make any vacation more exciting.